Bed utilization pattern in the neonatology unit of zagazig University Hospitals in the year 1999

The objective of this study was to assess case mix and its effects on the average length of hospital stay, average bed turnover and their outcome over the year 1999. Among 1169 admitted cases, there were significant relationship between the cause of admission and sex, mean age at admission, birth order, place of admission and outcome. On other h and, the outcome of the admitted cases was not affected by the mode of delivery and sex but affected by the weight of infant at admission. Hyperbilirubinemia was the most common cause of admission [29.43%] with the best outcome [89.83% improved] and the lowest average length of stay [4.7 days], while preterms constituted a third cause of admission [20.19%] with the worst outcome [62.71% dead] and the highest average length of stay [12.5 days]. The average length of stay for beds and incubators were 5.6 and 10.7 days respectively, and the bed occupancy rate for beds and incubators were 94.84% and 90.48% respectively. The average bed turnover for beds and incubators were 61.33 and 30.92 turn/year respectively. It is concluded that preventive aspects are important in order to decrease the neonatal morbidity and mortality